Your Feelings Were Sacrificed for a Greater Cause [prompt response]

[karanseraph]

UT Starscream[Starscream is seated on a grassy riverbank, contemplating some of the rounded, naturally polished stones beneath the clear, swift-running water. He takes out his journal to record his thoughts

Comments

[onetruesikorsky]

*On his way out to wherever - he didn't really have destinations in mind at the moment anyway as he's still exploring and gathering information within his own little area - he spies his newest addition to his Lair*

*Megatron comes up from behind in silence despite his mass. He looks disinterested, though he spied the journal before Starscream could put it away in his cockpit. His arms are crossed over his broad chest, but he doesn't look particularly angry, nor does his voice convey such. He's simply making a statement*

I was not aware wading through a river for stones was particularly strategical.

[karanseraph]

UT Starscream

[Starscream is startled enough to falter and fall forward into the water, but he recovers his usual grace quickly and rises, one arm cradling a load of dark and light river stones.]

Eh? The wading is not strategic at all.

[Wonders how long Megatron had been there and how much he had read.]

I thought I might collect pieces for a game.

[Frowns]

I guess there are holographic versions available...but this just seemed...? More refined.

[onetruesikorsky]

*Megatron watches him fall with one raised optic ridge, otherwise unmoving*

What sort of game could possibly be played with stones. *Megatron doesn't really... do... games*

[karanseraph]

UT Starscream

Eh...well, Sir, I believe that most planets, even primitive civilizations have some manner of basic strategy game played with simple tokens or markers, like these stones.

There are several games that can be played with a grid and opposing markers, such as Checkers, or Go, even Tic-Tac-Toe.

They are supposed to aid in developing strategic skill...to challenge one to anticipate the opponent's moves...and enact appropriate counter-moves.

[Smiles faintly.]

[onetruesikorsky]

*Seems to actually think about it, and it makes a lot of sense*

How complicated do these strategy games become. *he somehow manages to phrase his words as if he's not asking a question, but giving a half-order for explanation* Or are they mindless games created for 'fun'.

[karanseraph]

UT Starscream

[Considers the question as he shifts the collected stones a little.]

Even games with very simple rules can be very involving, but there are also strategy games with more complicated rules. Like...Chess.

I gather humans teach it to all their machines.

[Not sure is bringing up humans is strategically sound.]

[onetruesikorsky]

*His optics flash at the mention of chess. Another useless amount of information that he'd gathered from Professor Sumdac. Playing with himself in his lab, even going so far as moving back and forth between chairs, pretending that he was not aware of both strategies - showing clear surprise after one side made a particular move despite the fact that he was playing both. Humans were.... very odd creatures*

I recall Chess. Though when I witnessed the game it was... decidedly one-sided. Another tid-bit of worthless research via the Professor.

[karanseraph]

UT Starscream

It is probably better with a partner...that is...a worthy opponent.

Chess pieces would take a little more work to make, even if only marking the pieces rather than carving figures.

Would you consider playing, Sir?

[onetruesikorsky]

Eh? *he hadn't expected that, for some reason. Though perhaps a strategy game would help to keep the processor sharp* ...I would suppose if I had little else to do I would consider it. *which he doesn't have anything to do anyway, at the moment*

[karanseraph]

UT Starscream

[Starscream steps up from the river and takes a seat again on the grass. He opens his cocpit canopy briefly to reach for a small satchel of tools, most often used for self-maintenance.]

It will take time to make the game, Sir, but it is an honor knowing you might consider playing with me in the future.

[Smirks just slightly and then goes about marking and carving selected stones with a personal plasma torch.]

You think the King should have a cannon?

[onetruesikorsky]

....why wouldn't the King have a cannon? *A smirk*

[karanseraph]

UT Starscream

[A cannon it is.]

I think the Queen should have wings. That makes sense. The Queen can quickly move across the board in any direction.

I am not decided about the other pieces.

[onetruesikorsky]

*his arms are still crossed and he's looking out into the woods, but he's still smirking*

Blitzwing shall be the Knight. *the fact that he knows what the the thing is called should be worrisome but he blows it off as nothing* He is a triple-changer. ...rather unstable. Three separate personalities.

*his gaze slides to the Seeker now cross-legged on the grass* The Queen shall be my Second. My loyal Second.

[karanseraph]

UT Starscream

[Starscream did not know what Blitzwing looked like...and would have asked for clarification had he not heard Megatron's next decision. Megatron did not presently have a Second who was loyal...did he?]

So... [vocalizer rasping more than usual] wings, then?

[onetruesikorsky]

Perhaps one wing as a blade~ the left.

[karanseraph]

UT Starscream

[Then, Starscream thinks, his Leader truly does mean to name him as his Second. He drops the stones and tools - having enough sense to deactivate the torch - and shifts to a posture of genuflection.]

I am most sincerely honored, Lord Megatron. I will not disappoint you!

[More than honored, Starscream is a little gleeful. The recognition. For him!]